China’s Communist Party Chooses New Leadership

China’s new president and Communist Party leader, Xi Jinping

It is the most populous country in the world and the third-largest country on Earth by land area, but when it comes to the politics of representative government, China is not even on the map. Another decade has passed, another Communist Party Congress has met, and a new slate of leaders has come to power. So far as China’s elite are concerned, however, 1.3 billion Chinese citizens hardly exist. In the People’s Republic of China (as it calls itself), the consent of the people is not sought; they have no vote or say in their governance. China’s one-party state machinery grinds on, for the time being.

Because of China’s global economic clout, its growing military power, and its increasingly assertive foreign policy, the leadership transition that was announced in mid-November attracted much attention and speculation. But only insiders know what really goes on at the highest levels of Chinese politics. Xi Jinping is China’s new president, general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and chairman of the Central Military Commission. The new Chinese premier is Li Keqiang. The size of the influential Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) has been reduced from nine to seven members. The PSC dominates the Politburo, the CCP’s 25-member governing body.

Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin (r. 1993–2003) appears to have swayed the outcome of the leadership change, resulting in a new leadership group made up largely of his protégés, or close followers. Headed by Xi (pronounced SHEE), they have been termed the “princelings.” There does not appear to have been any “multiparty election” within the Communist Party, although two of the seven PSC members are from the Tuanpai faction (the so-called populists). The Tuanpai are more closely associated with outgoing president Hu Jintao. The new leadership lineup is being described as an older more politically conservative. Xi is not expected to address needed economic or political reforms.

Credit: © How Hwee Young/AP Images

Related Links

  • China Names Conservative, Older Leadership
    This article summarizes what is being gleaned by outside observers concerning China’s new leadership; includes links to related videos.
    (Reuters, November 15, 2012)
  • China’s Tectonic Power Shift—the Complete Guide
    This website is a clearinghouse for articles on China’s new leadership: including a profile of Xi Jinping, an explanation of China’s one-party system, assessments of the prospects for political reform, a time line of the handover of power, historical propaganda posters, and more.
    (Business Insider, November 15, 2012)
  • Shadow of Former President Looms over China’s New Leaders
    This article examines the role of Jiang Zemin, the retired Chinese leader who still exerts great behind-the-scenes influence.
    (CNN, November 16, 2012)
  • China’s Leadership Transition: Three Things to Know
    Elizabeth C. Economy describes the background of China’s 18th Party Congress and the challenges the new leadership will face in the areas of government corruption, economic reform, and foreign policy.
    (Council on Foreign Relations, November 16, 2012)
  • One Party, Two Coalitions
    This article, written before the leadership transition was complete, explores the “populist” vs. “elitist” split within China’s one-party system.
    (China Digital Times, October 30, 2012)

4 Comments

  1. rose bob says:

    ok so it says that china is not even on the map well it is people theses days are so dumb

    • jcoor says:

      that is so afensive!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Maribel says:

        Better blog Some habits are good for you and ohrtes are not. The same is true for your blog. Some of your blogging habits, meaning those things you do repeatedly, are good for you and your blog’s growth and improvement while ohrtes are distractions that stop you

  2. phil says:

    🙁